Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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432. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will engage with the Minister for Further and Higher Education; Research; Innovation and Science to ensure that a course for SNAs in a third-level education institution (details supplied) is supporting in achieving Level-7 accreditation. [15495/23]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The situation remains as set out in my recent response to the Deputy on this matter (reference PQ no. 13692/23).

All SNAs who applied to complete the course with UCD did so on the basis that a Certificate of Completion would issue following conclusion of the programme. The subsequent accreditation of the programme was supplementary to this and was completed in line with the tender agreement. UCD is a recognised awarding body and completes accreditation of its own courses, as it did in the case of the SNA programme.

While DFHERIS creates policy for the higher and further education and research sectors and oversees the work of state agencies and public institutions operating in these areas it does not have a direct role in accreditation of courses.

UCD has advised my Department that work has commenced to accredit the programme under UCD’s standard programme approval procedures as a Level 6 Special Purpose Award on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). UCD is also considering how previous graduates from the programme might have their award accredited retrospectively.

Approximately 1,300 SNAs have completed the course to date and it is intended that the programme will be delivered to up to 3,500 SNAs over the four year scheme funded by the Department of Education

As outlined previously, reflecting ongoing engagement with stakeholders on SNA issues, my Department is committed to reviewing this programme after the four-year period has concluded.

By the end of 2023, there will be over 20,000 SNAs working in our schools. Again I want to assure the Deputy that my Department is very aware of the continuing need to provide appropriate training and development opportunities for SNAs with a view to supporting the inclusion of students with additional care needs in education. In this regard, in December 2022, my Department established a dedicated SNA Workforce Development Unit in order to ensure that sufficient time and attention is given to examination of the SNA role, including in the area of learning and development.